From a photograph by Solomon D. Butcher of four daughters of rancher Joseph M. Chrisman, at their sod house in Custer County, Nebraska. From left to right, Harriet, Elizabeth, Lucie, and Ruth. Photographed in 1886.

Monday, March 08, 2010

Sandhill Crane Webcam, 2010

Crane Cam at Rowe Sanctuary

Carolyn Hall of Bassett, Nebraska, sent the following link for this year's Sandhill Crane Webcam at the Rowe Sanctuary.

I'm writing this at about 9:30 p.m with the webcam running in another window of my browser. It is dark on the river, but I can see the moon and hear an occasional bird sound over the gurgle of the water.

Sanctuary volunteers run the camera in the morning and evening during the hours the cranes are active on the river. The rest of the time, the camera is stationary. The Crane Cam will be running through April 10, 2010.

The Rowe Sanctuary is located on the Platte River at Gibbon, Nebraska (southeast of Kearney, Nebraska). The Platte River is an important staging ground for Sandhill cranes on their migration north. The birds spend their days in the fields and marshes near the river. At night, they return to the sandbars of the Platte River, where they are safe from coyotes and other predators.

According to the Rowe Sanctuary website,

In the morning, cranes shuffle up and down the river waiting for the sun to pop up over the horizon. As the sun rises, cranes head out to feed and loaf in the surrounding fields. During the day, cranes "dance" to relieve the stress of migration and strengthen pair bonds. Cranes are very "social" birds and in the evening, congregate in wet meadows before heading back to the river for the night. (Source)

Genevieve-- Nice to know about the sanctuary on the Platte River. In my younger days I lived in Michigan. There is a place in southwest Michigan where one could see Sand Hill Cranes in droves as they nested there during the summer. The area has lots of swamps. I remember the first time I saw them -- walking near a farmers home. I was shocked to see how tall they were and they walked with such graceful beauty. -- barbara

I think the semi-loud sound of gurgling water that I heard last night was the drain pipe in the blind (I deduce this, based on Carolyn's note today.) I don't hear it this afternoon. It looks like the skies in southern Nebraska are overcast this evening.

I've been reading on Facebook that the crane cam is having trouble. They are taking donations for a new camera next year. I think they need around $10,000. I was shocked that the camera would be so expensive!

IT IS STILL BEST to be honest and truthful; to make the most of what we have; to be happy with simple pleasure; and to be cheerful and have courage when things go wrong.(Laura Ingalls Wilder, 1867-1957)